Forum Discussion

egarant's avatar
egarant
Explorer III
Sep 29, 2025

Do I need an on board generator?

So the new Arctic Fox truck campers now offer a 3000 watt inverter and a 400 ah lithium battery package, you can also get up to 600 watts of solar on the roof.  The refrigerator is now a 12 volt compressor fridge.  The oven is deleted when you get the inverter/battery package as they use that space.  You do get an air fryer/convection microwave to bake in I guess.

So my question is whether to order the on board generator option.  I have a 2013 Eagle Cap that has 460 watts of solar and a 3000 watt inverter but a has a propane fridge.  I have not needed a generator in the past, but given the possible increase electrical usage in the Arctic Fox, might it be prudent to get one?  When started it provides thought the inverter/charger a 150 amp hr charge to the house battery.

Wife doesn’t want it, I think it might be smart to get it.

Your thoughts on the matter…

Eric

 

6 Replies

  • I would, the fridge takes a fair bit of power on its own, then in you plan on using the air fryer/convection microwave, that's a huge electrical load.  I hat the trend that manufactures are going with solar and LiFePO4 batteries, there is no reason they could not have fit the 400Ah of lithium batteries in the original battery compartment, but that would entail then buying a different brand that makes a reasonable sized battery.  

    take the Cirius 920 for example, they brought it back and I was anxious to see it as it would be the only model that would fit on a long box they have and I like the Alde combi heat system, so I was interested in it.  the went LifePO4 and solar and changed everything into it to electric, stove, fridge, oven heat water, everything..  they went to 810ah of LiFePO4, 930 watts of solar, but they used the stick on ones that will need to be replaced after 10 years instead of residential panels that would probably last over 30 years. so with the electric alde hot water and heat, the 2 burner induction stove, electric oven , microwave and they sell it as a boondocking monster..  talking with people who have bought it, you can go a normal weekend with out plugging in, longer if you don't use the interior appliances or hot water.  so for anything over a weekend it is a plugin campground queen.  

     

    now for you, I would just buy something like a nice quiet honda, if you are not worried about running the AC and just want an emergency charging method, then get a 1100i , if you want to run the ac then one bigger..  then you can keep it in a storage compartment and pull it out when you need it.  

    the other option is to install a dc to dc charger and run power wires from it to your truck.  then if you need to you can use your truck as a genny and you don't have to spend that amount of money or give up the space to carry a genny.  

    • Grit_dog's avatar
      Grit_dog
      Navigator II

      Always great ideas from you regarding camper power!  

  • Flip a coin….

    Personally, had one in a toyhauler, convenient but annoying (noise and vibe).  I would not want one  I’d rather strap a Honda 2200 on a hitch carrier and use it as needed either enroute if you “had” to charge.  Or away from the camper when parked so no noise and vibration.  
    Not to mention far cheaper of an option. Easier to maintain, more versatile and no risk of difficulty working on it, stuffed in the camper.  Also assuming it LP powered for the built in Onan.  Thats just WRONG.  They drink LP pretty fast  like the furnace. And on principle….wtf??  You have LP to run a generator to charge your batteries to run the fridge on electricity when you could just sip LP for days or weeks with that battery setup and a LP fridge.  
    My answer is a solid NO.  I’d get a tag along generator.  

    **bleep**, can’t even buy a TC with a LP fridge anymore?

    • StirCrazy's avatar
      StirCrazy
      Moderator

      **bleep**, can’t even buy a TC with a LP fridge anymore?

      yes you can haha, not all brands have gone stupid

       

      • Grit_dog's avatar
        Grit_dog
        Navigator II

        Well that’s good to hear. Too bad because I really like AF campers. 
        Although I’d be buying one old enough to have a LP fridge. 
        Even though I think it would be super cool to build up a big battery bank like you’ve done. I’d want that just so I could run the AC without a genny, say if it was too warm at night.